Dong Nai is one of the provinces with the richest biodiversity in the Southeast region. In the province, there are typical ecosystems of forests, wetlands, mangroves, rivers and lakes; diverse flora and fauna with many rare genetic resources.

Elephants in Dong Nai Nature and Culture Conservation Area.

To achieve this, the province has mobilized resources and issued many plans and programs to prevent the decline, restore and develop biodiversity.

* A regional leader in biodiversity

In the province, there are 9 areas with high biodiversity, in which, Cat Tien National Park ranks first. There is a rich genetic resource in terms of quantity and species composition, especially rare and precious animals listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and the world. According to statistics in 2021, Cat Tien National Park has more than 1.6 thousand species of plants, of which 28 are on the rare list and more than 1.7 thousand species of animals with 65 rare species.

In second place is the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Conservation Area with 1.5 thousand species of plants and more than 1.8 thousand species of animals. In addition, Tri An lake and other lakes and rivers also have hundreds of aquatic species.

A special feature of the two areas mentioned above is that there are wetlands, so biodiversity is both on land and in water. At the same time, these two places are located in the core zone (strictly protected area) of Dong Nai World Biosphere Reserve which was recognized by UNESCO in 2011.

In addition, there are 7 areas with biodiversity scattered in the localities, mainly where there are forests. For example, the mangroves of Long Thanh - Nhon Trach have aquatic species typical of brackish water; Chua Chan mountain (Xuan Loc district) has a population of black-shanked douc langurs…

There is rich biodiversity because the province closed the natural forest more than 20 years ago to improve the efficiency of management and protection. The province mobilizes many sources to implement programs and projects to conserve and develop biodiversity values. Propaganda and raising public awareness on biodiversity conservation are also focused.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hao, Standing Deputy Head of the Management Board of Dong Nai World Biosphere Reserve, Director of Dong Nai Nature-Cultural Conservation Area, said that over the years, the units have made great efforts. in forest protection and biodiversity; conservation and development of valuable genetic resources, typical of the Southeast region.

Dong Nai has implemented many programs and projects on biodiversity conservation such as: Emergency conservation of elephants, establishment of wildlife rescue centers, restoration of natural forests, reforestation...

Mr. Nguyen Van Minh, Deputy Director of Cat Tien National Park, said that in the period 2013-2020, the Center for Rescue, Conservation and Biological Development of the park received, rescued and re-released more than 900 animals into the forest. individual animals. The garden cooperates with many domestic and foreign organizations and sponsors to carry out forest protection and wildlife rescue activities.

* Sustainable exploitation of values

Although the conservation work was implemented early and brought good results, the province's biodiversity is facing many threats. That is the situation of illegal hunting and cutting of forest trees. The impact of climate change, environmental pollution and urbanization has made the habitats of many species narrowed, and food sources scarce.

The graphic shows the total forest area in Dong Nai province and the forest area in some localities in the province according to the province's declaration of forest status in 2021. Info: Hoang Loc - Graphics: Hai Ha

In addition, funding to carry out biodiversity conservation tasks is lacking. Human resources in charge of conservation have not yet met in-depth investigation, research and rescue of wild animals.

Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha, Director of the Center for Nature Conservation and Development of Vietnam, said that Dong Nai has done a good job in protecting biodiversity in Cat Tien National Park and Dong Nai Nature and Culture Conservation Area. Deer. The province needs to exploit the advantages of biodiversity to develop tourism, sell carbon credits, do scientific research to reinvest in forest protection and development, and partially improve difficulties for the control team. forestry, forest protection and biodiversity.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dong Nai keeps natural forests quite well, thus contributing to the conservation and development of biodiversity. The current problem is how to sustainably exploit forest resources and biodiversity for the purpose of socio-economic development, bringing benefits to the community.

Dong Nai Nature-Cultural Conservation Area is home to high biodiversity. Photo: H.LOC

The province's orientation is to develop ecotourism in association with environmental protection in areas with high biodiversity. To combine and expand cooperation with educational institutions, domestic and foreign organizations in training and research on environment and forestry. Thus, effectively exploiting natural resources will have funds to reinvest in biodiversity protection and development.

At the end of 2022, the Government issued the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050 with the goal of increasing the area of protected and restored natural ecosystems; effectively conserve and use biodiversity values for socio-economic development in the direction of a green economy, proactively adapting to climate change.

Currently, the content of conservation of nature and biodiversity of Dong Nai has been included in the provincial master plan for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050 with the goal of preserving biodiversity, ecological balance and proactively adapting to climate change. deal with climate change.

Hoang Loc